Curette



UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

EMORY WILLIS PEERY, OF RURAL RETREAT, VIRGINIA.

CURETTE.`

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Pateit No. 622,386, dated April 4.-, 1899.

Application filed Marcil 31, 1898. Serial No. 675,957. (No model.)

To LVZZ whom, it may coz/1.097%:

Be it known that I, EMORY WILLIS PEERY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rural Retreat, in the county of Wythe and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Instrument, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to curettes to be worn upon the finger when exploring uterine cavities in gynecological and obstetricalwork for removing parts of the placenta and other morbid matter from the Walls of the womb. A curette of this character enables the operator to secure a more sensitive touch, and for this reason is preferred.

The object of this invention is the construction of a device of the character aforesaid which can be applied to different-sized ngers within certain limits and which will hold upon the nger in such a manner as to prevent displacement when in service to the annoyance of the accoucheur and the inconvenience of the patient.

For a full understanding of the merits and advantages of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which'- Figure l is a perspective view of a curette constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a view from the palmar side. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the views of the accompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

The curette consists of a thimble l, having a spoon-shaped blade 2 at the distal end. The proximal end of the thimble is split, forming spring-jaws 3 to grip the finger and hold the device in place. f Inner ribs or rolls 4 are provided with the outer ends of the spring-jaws to press into the ssures of the finger and secure the article from slipping when properly fitted to the finger. In order to increase the resiliency of the jaws 3, openings 5`are formed in the sides of the thimble and communicate with the inner ends of the splits separating the jaws.

The spoon-shaped blade 2 is at the outer side of the thimble and forms a continuation thereof and inclines toward the palmar side at its outer end. The edges of the blade are blunt, so as not to irritate the parts when removing membraneous or other morbid matter therefrom. The concave side of the blade faces the palmar side, thereby enabling the device to be used to the best possible advantage. The spring-jaws yield and enable the instrument to be fitted -to different-sized lingers without fear of detachment when in service.

The inner ribs 4 are essential to prevent the slipping of the instrument from the iinger when fitted thereto.

As clearly indicated in the drawings, the distal end of the palmar side of the thimble curves toward the outer side of the thimble and joins therewith at the base of the blade. This curved end closes the distal extremity of the thimble and serves materially by its curvature to prevent the instrument turning upon the finger of the operator.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. A curette comprising a thimble closed at its distal end to completely envelop the end of the finger, and having its proximal end portionv provided with spring-jaws, the distal end portion of the palmar side curving toward the outer side and eecting a junction therewith, and a spoon-shaped blade forming a continuation of the outer side of the thimble and projecting outward from the closed end thereof and curving toward the palmar side at its outer end, substantially as described.

2. A curette comprising a thimble closed at its distal end to completely envelop the end of the finger, and having its proximal end -portion split longitudinally forming springjaws, inwardly-projecting ribs at the free ends of the spring-jaws and a spoon-shaped blade forming a continuation of the outer side of the thimble and inclining toward the palmar side at its outer extremity, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EMORY WILLIS PEERY. Witnesses:

C. W. DAvIs, J. B. STUART. 

